Compete live at the World Architecture Festival. WAF's Student Charrette offers architecture students from around the world a unique opportunity to present their concepts to an international jury and audience.

About the Student Charrette

What is the Student Charrette?

The Student Charrette is a team-based design competition and a core part of the World Architecture Festival programme. Each year, participating teams respond to a brief set by WAF's programme team. Finalists are then challenged to develop and refine their ideas during the festival, before presenting their work live on stage.

It is a rare opportunity for students from across the world to experience:

Live crits in front of leading architects
International exposure
Collaboration under pressure
A global platform for their ideas

2026: Water

This year’s Student Charrette will focus on Water – our conference theme at WAF 2026.

Student teams are invited to submit ideas for buildings or programmes where water is essential to the design idea. This is an open theme, so ideas could relate to use of water within a building or building complex, or to how a design proposal has responded to a water condition, for example by floating. Regeneration or reclamation proposals involving water are also welcome.

The best six to eight entrant teams will be invited to take part in the charrette in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, from 18-20 November 2026.

Free submissions are now open until 3 July 2026.

ENTER THE CHARRETTE

The entry and judging process

Students from architecture schools around the world are invited to submit their online proposals free of charge by Friday 3 July 2026.
Successful teams will be notified by 20 July 2026, with up to eight university teams selected to participate.
All selected teams, along with their tutors, will receive complimentary three-day passes to the World Architecture Festival.
Please note that participating teams are responsible for arranging and covering their own travel and accommodation to attend the Festival in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA (18–20 November 2026).
Shortlisted teams will attend a final in-person briefing in Fort Lauderdale on the evening of Tuesday 17 November, where an additional element will be introduced to the project brief. Full details will be provided to selected entrants.

At the Festival in Fort Lauderdale

Dedicated working areas for each team will be provided within the Festival hall.
Basic materials (such as paper and marker pens) will be supplied; however, teams are expected to bring their own laptops and any additional tools they may require.
Teams will develop their proposals on Wednesday 18 and Thursday 19 November within the Festival space.
Final presentations will take place on Friday 20 November, where each team will present to an international jury.
Presentations: 10 minutes maximum Followed by: 10 minutes of Q&A with the judges
The jury will select one winning team.

Recognition and Awards

The winning team will be invited to attend the WAF Gala Awards Dinner on the evening of Friday 20 November, where they will be presented with their award on stage.
All participating teams will receive a certificate of attendance recognising their selection as Charrette finalists.
The winner will be featured in the post-Festival online Winners Supplement and published on the WAF website, providing global exposure.

Entry requirements

A brief project description (maximum 350 words)
Up to 12 supporting images relevant to the project (any format)
Confirmation that shortlisted teams are able to attend the Festival in Fort Lauderdale, Florida (final briefing on Tuesday 17 November, Festival dates 18–20 November 2026)
Teams should comprise up to 6 students, supported by up to 2 tutors

ENTER THE CHARRETTE